Portland

Photos: Glenelg Shire Council

Located in south-west Victoria, Portland offers visitors a wealth of opportunities to explore rugged landscapes, discover a colourful history, get back to nature, surf some great waves, hoist a sail in a brisk wind, catch a fish, wander historic streets and dine on great local food and wine.

Portland became Victoria's first permanent European settlement in 1834. A self-guided historic buildings Walk highlights the city's hundreds of heritage buildings and private residences. Visit the Maritime Discovery Centre for an insight into Portland's long seafaring history.

Large ships from around the world come in to the deep water port to load up local produce while the local fishing fleet unload its catch.

Take a ride on the foreshore cable tram or watch for whales during the winter months.

The Cable Tramsí Grip Cars are Diesel powered and have been built to the exact design and specifications of the Cable Trams from the Melbourne era 1885-1940. The two Saloon Cars Noís 95 and 171 actually ran on the Melbourne Cable Tram system and have been fully restored to their original state. A return trip is 7.4 kmís in length with a trip duration of one hour.

The trip commences at the Museum and Tram Depot in Henty Park before travelling past the Fawthrop Lagoon and Powerhouse Museum. It then continues on to the Botanical Gardens, around the harbour foreshore to the Maritime Discovery Centre and along the cliff tops before proceeding up Bentinck Street to the World War 2 RSL Memorial Lookout.

For those who like fishing, Portland is an angler's paradise. An extensive range of fish (including King George whiting, flathead, snapper, tuna and mulloway) can be caught from a boat or the beach.

Portland also has some of the best surf this side of Bells Beach with Bridgewater Bay, the Watertower, Blacknose, Crumpets, Yellow Rock, Whites Beach and Murrells.

The Great South West Walk begins and ends at the Portland Visitor Information Centre. Visitors can try a section or tackle the entire 250 kilometre walk and see stunning forests, river gorges, capes and beaches along the way.

You can also explore the wonders of Cape Bridgewater with petrified forests, blowholes and freshwater springs.